It is God who allows us to hear. It is God who opens our ears. The first
reading from the Prophet Isaiah is very clear about Isaiah's own
experience. We also can recognize that when we hear, it is God who is
allowing us to hear. So often as humans we listen to another person but do
not hear them.

In the Gospel we find that Peter speaks for those who have heard Jesus:
You are the Christ. We know that later, Peter and the others still deny
Jesus. Hearing helps us to know the other person but that knowledge must
continue to grow in love.

The second reading, from the letter of James, tells us that faith of
itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Faith comes from hearing and recognizing the truth of what we hear. Faith
has to show itself in action in order to remain alive and to grow. Each of
us has received a gift of faith and we have to work to keep that faith
alive and growing. Just because we have received the gift is not enough.
We must remember that Jesus told other stories about people who received
talents and money from their Lords and did not do anything with them. In
the end, they lose even what they have received.

We need to come to Church, to share with others who believe in Jesus, and
to witness to the faith that has been given to us. Both inside and outside
of Church we must do the works of faith: love, mercy, compassion, sharing
what has been given to us, seeking the good of the other, etc.

As we hear the Word of God today, may our ears be open, may our hearts
respond and may our lives continue to be converted, so that all our life is
given over to living this gift of faith that has been given to us.

Readings of the day:
First Reading: Isaiah 50.5-9
Second Reading: James 2.14-18
Gospel: Mark 8.27-35